HOSPITAL PATIENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14265, 16 January 1920, Page 6

HOSPITAL PATIENTS

CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION. SHOULD TILLY BE ALTERED? FEES AND ABILITY TO PAY. , The conditions on which patients arc admitted to the Waikato Hospital was a question raised at a meeting of the Board yesterday, when a letter was received front the Christchurch Board enquiring as to the conditions and expressing Lire opinion that wealthy patients who could afford to pay for private attention, should not be admitted to public hospitals. This was the position as far as the Christchurch Hospital was concerned. Mr Seavill said that at present patients were admitted to the Waikato Hospital irrespective of class or position. He thought, however, that some distinction should be made in the way of fees according to the patients’ ability to pay. He know of cases in Auckland where people well ablt to pay for private medical attention, had deliberately held off to gain admission to the Auckland Hospital, in order to save the fees. He certainly thought the poorer patients should be given preference of admission when there was a demand on the accommodation. Mr C. Johnstone did not think there were many very wealthy patients in the hospital. The majority of the patients were usually workers. Mr Wagstaff said that as the settlers paid for the upkeep of the hospital in rates, and as the patients were largely workers, the present system should be allowed to stand. Mr Johnstone said that a lot of people preferred treatment at the public hospital on account of the better appliances there.

It was decided to supply the Christchurch Board with the information sought, but to make no change in the present conditions.